Brett Bethke
About Brett Bethke
Brett Bethke is a Robotics Software Engineer with extensive experience in developing autonomous technologies for medical delivery drones. He has held positions at notable organizations such as Zipline International, Kitty Hawk, and Airware, and holds multiple degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Aerospace Engineering and Physics.
Current Role at Zipline International
Brett Bethke currently serves as a Robotics Software Engineer at Zipline International, a position he has held since 2019. In this role, he focuses on developing autonomous technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of medical delivery drones. His work includes the creation of decentralized, cooperative collision avoidance systems, which are critical for the operation of drones in medical logistics. Additionally, he has contributed to automated air traffic control systems aimed at enhancing the efficiency of drone launches and recoveries.
Previous Experience in Robotics and Data Science
Before joining Zipline International, Brett Bethke held several significant positions in the technology sector. He worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Kitty Hawk for 11 months in 2018, where he contributed to advancements in robotics. Prior to that, he was a Senior Staff Data Scientist at Airware from 2014 to 2018, focusing on data-driven solutions in the drone industry. His experience also includes a role as a Computational Engineer at Argonne National Laboratory for one year.
Educational Background in Aerospace Engineering
Brett Bethke has an extensive educational background in aerospace engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, he obtained both a Master of Science (S.M.) and a Bachelor of Science (S.B.) in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, completing his undergraduate studies from 2001 to 2005. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science (S.B.) in Physics from MIT, which he also completed during the same timeframe.
Early Career in Avionics Engineering
Brett Bethke began his career in avionics engineering, working at Blue Origin for a brief period in 2004. Although his tenure was only two months, this experience contributed to his foundational knowledge in aerospace technologies. His early career laid the groundwork for his subsequent roles in data science and robotics.